Charter Council Requests the Investigation of the Attack on Rustavi 2 Journalists

19.03.2018

Category : Statements;

It is important for the professional work to be protected and for every citizen to feel safe. For the discussion on journalistic standards, there are self-regulatory mechanisms in place, including The Charter of Journalistic Ethics. These are the platforms which are effective to discuss the professional and ethical decisions of a journalist.

Femicide Coverage - Memorandum

Through collaborative efforts between the Georgian Charter of
Journalistic Ethics and the organization

28.12.2023

The facts of violence against media representatives and interference in professional activities must be promptly investigated

On March 8, 2023, Georgian media representatives suffered injuries
during the rally dispersal on Rustaveli Avenue. Dozens of
journalists and camerapersons were exposed to tear gas deployed by
the riot police to halt a protest. Disturbingly, there was a case
where a gas grenade exploded at the journalist’s feet. While
covering protests, the media representatives faced an assault and
obstruction of professional activities by law enforcement officers,
despite their knowledge about the professional duty of the
journalists.

Law enforcement agencies abused and obstructed the
following media representatives from their journalistic
activities:

• Netgazeti’s journalist, Mikheil Gvadzabia, was physically
assaulted by a special forces officer who kicked and knocked the
phone out of his hand after the journalist told him he was a member
of the press.

• The special forces, by using force, obstructed Publika’s
reporters, Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Basti Mgaloblishvili, from
their journalistic activities.

• The law enforcement officers attacked Formula TV’s journalist,
Tea Tetradze, and cameraman Nika Kokaia, interfering with their
professional activities.

• They physically assaulted Formula TV’s journalist and cameraman,
Giorgi Kvizhinadze and Davit Mania.

• Mediachecker’s editor, Giorgi Gogua, was also physically
assaulted by law enforcement officers. The violence stopped after
he explained that he was a press member.

• Formula TV’s journalist, Salome Chaduneli, was verbally insulted
and interfered with her professional activities.

• Formula TV’s journalist, Nika Sajaia, was physically
assaulted.

• Guria News’s journalist, Merab Tsaava, was hindered in his
professional journalistic activities.

(The list is renewable)

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics strongly condemns acts
of violence against journalists, gross violations of journalists’
rights, and interference in professional activities.

We call on the authorities to conduct an exhaustive and transparent
investigation to identify and hold responsible law enforcement
officials accountable for the offenses against media
representatives.

The Charter will always protect the rights of journalists and the
high standard of freedom of expression.

15.03.2023

Media Organizations consider the adoption of Russian law unacceptable

We, the media
organizations that have signed the statement, strongly oppose the
Russian bill initiated by the members of the Parliamentary
Majority.
We firmly believe
that this bill aims to suppress the critical voice and create an
environment where media and public organizations can no longer
uncover corruption, injustice, and poverty in the
country.
This was proved by
the outcomes of a similar law passed in Russia years ago - civil
and media organizations were closed and journalists became the
victims of persecution.
Adopting this bill
will cause insuperable harm to the EU accession process of Georgia,
which was clearly indicated in the statement of the High
Representative of the European Union on February 24. Consequently, the submitted
legislative amendment hampers Georgia's development and closes a
window of opportunity.
We serve Georgian
society and express deep concern about the future of our country.
We are not going to work under this label. Accordingly, in case of
adopting the Russian law, we refuse to register as “Agents of
Foreign Influence.” It insults our professional dignity.

Tbilisi:

Netgazeti.ge

Publika
(publika.ge)

Indigo

Studia
Monitor

Queer.ge

Dev.ge

On.ge

Tabula

Civil
Georgia - civil.ge

MediaChecker

Project
64

Chaihana

Ufleba.ge

Association
of Investigative Journalists (ifacts.ge)

Media
Holding Commersant

OC
Media

Media
portal “Cactus,” cactus-media.ge

JamNews
(jam-news.net)

Online
edition “Sova”(sova.news)

RealPolitik
(realpolitika.ge)

“Mountain
Stories” - mtisambebi.ge

Georgian
News - sakartvelosambebi.ge

Journalism
Resource Center - JRC

Georgian
Alliance of Regional Broadcasters

Radio
Tbilisi

Mtavari
Arkhi

Accent
(accentnews.ge)

Media.ge

ClickMedia
- clickmedia.ge

FirstNews.ge

Shida
Kartli:

www.qartli.ge

Radio
Mozaika, mozaikanews.ge

TV Media
Monitoring

28.02.2023

NEWS